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20 best and worst movie remakes

Worst Total Recall RELEASED IN: 2012 ORIGINAL: TOTAL RECALL (1990) The actors who set out to remake the Arnold Schwarzenegger-led sci-fi class had their work cut out for them, and directed by Len Wiseman, Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale and Jessica Biel come up short. What reviewers said: “While it boasts some impressive action sequences, Total Recall lacks the intricate plotting, wry humor, and fleshed out characters that made the original a sci-fi classic.” –via Rotten Tomatoes

Best The Departed RELEASED IN: 2006 ORIGINAL: INFERNAL AFFAIRS (2002) This Martin Scorsese-directed remake transplanted the original Hong Kong-based thriller to the down-and-dirty streets of South Boston. Starring Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jack Nicholson, this Oscar-winning film easily fits onto the long list of Scorsese's finest works. What reviewers said: “What makes this a Scorsese film, and not merely a retread, is the director's use of actors, locations and energy, and its buried theme. I am fond of saying that a movie is not about what it's about; it's about how it's about it.” –Roger Ebert

Worst The Stepford Wives RELEASED IN: 2004 ORIGINAL: THE STEPFORD WIVES (1975) Starring Nicole Kidman and Matthew Broderick, this remake comes off as robot-like as one of the Stepford wives it depicts. “In exchanging the chilling satire of the original into mindless camp, this remake has itself become Stepford-ized.” –via Rotten Tomatoes

Best THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR MADE IN: 1999 ORIGINAL: THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR (1968) Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo make a dynamic duo in this riveting remake by director John McTiernan. What reviewers said: “Suspenseful, labyrinthine, and brilliantly cast, The Maltese Falcon is one of the most influential noirs -- as well as a showcase for Humphrey Bogart at his finest.” – via Rotten Tomatoes

Best 3:10 TO YUMA RELEASED IN: 2007 ORIGINAL:3:10 TO YUMA (1957) Starring Russell Crowe and Christian Bale, this remake builds on the original – adding a healthy dose of modern-day cinema action. What reviewers said: “The remake of this classic Western improves on the original, thanks to fiery performances from Russell Crowe and Christian Bale as well as sharp direction from James Mangold.” –via Rotten Tomatoes

Worst The Pink Panther RELEASED IN: 2006 ORIGINAL: THE PINK PANTHER (1963) Few good things can be said about Steve Martin’s bumbling representation of Clouseau with a bad accent and mustache. What reviewers said: “Though Steve Martin is game, the particulars of the Inspector Clouseau character elude him in this middling update.” –via Rotten Tomatoes

Best The Magnificent Seven RELEASED IN: 1960 ORIGINAL: THE SEVEN SAMURAI (1954) Though many believe this remake doesn’t come close to Akira Kurosawa's masterpiece, The Magnificent Seven starring Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen and Charles Bronson, is still a lot of fun to watch. What reviewers said: “One of the most iconic Westerns.” –James Plath, Movie Metropolis

Worst The Jazz Singer RELEASED IN: 1980 ORIGINAL: THE JAZZ SINGER (1927) Suffering from a serious case of high hopes, this Neil Diamond number is a melodramatic remake that hits all the wrong notes. What reviewers said: “The Jazz Singer has so many things wrong with it that a review threatens to become a list.” –Roger Ebert

Best Dawn Of The Dead RELEASED IN: 2004 ORIGINAL: DAWN OF THE DEAD (1978) This glossy, Hollywood remake of the George Romero original is an action-packed version that delivered even more frights than the first. What reviewers said: “A kinetic, violent and surprisingly worthy remake of George Romero's horror classic that pays homage to the original while working on its own terms. ” –via Rotten Tomatoes

Worst Psycho RELEASED IN: 1998 ORIGINAL: PSYCHO (1960) If you’re going to tackle a remake of a genre-defining classic such as Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, you might not want to match it shot-for-shot. genre-defining classic. Not even Vince Vaughn and Anne Heche could up the credibility of this ill-advised attempt. What reviewers said:” Van Sant's pointless remake neither improves or illuminates Hitchcock's original. ” –via Rotten Tomatoes

Best Cape Fear RELEASED IN: 1991 ORIGINAL: CAPE FEAR (1962) Robert DeNiro's take on the twisted character Max Cady, coupled with Martin Scorsese’s preservation of some of the best parts of the 1962 original, including Bernard Herrmann's goose bump-inducing score, make this remake a must-see. What reviewers said: “Smart and stylish, Cape Fear is a gleefully mainstream shocker from Martin Scorsese, with a terrifying Robert De Niro peformance.” –via Rotten Tomatoes

Worst King Kong RELEASED IN: 1976 THEN AGAIN IN 2005 (pictured) ORIGINAL: KING KONG (1933) This remake is a big-budget debacle in which the famous giant ape defies Jeff Bridges and Charles Grodin, steals Jessica Lange and scales the World Trade Center. Yawn. The remake was again … remade in 2005 by director Peter Jackson – to applause and mass fanfare. What reviewers said: “Peter Jackson's dream project is as good as event movies get; King Kong is visually spectacular and emotionally resonant.” –via Rotten Tomatoes

Best THE MALTESE FALCON RELEASED IN: 1941 ORIGINAL: THE MALTESE FALCON (1931) DEBUTING A FILM REMAKE 10 YEARS AFTER THE ORIGINAL MAY SEEM A BIT HASTY – BUT Director John Huston's rendition of the novel by Dashiell Hammett starring Hollywood great Humphrey Bogart is an acting and masterpiece. What reviewers said: “Suspenseful, labyrinthine, and brilliantly cast, The Maltese Falcon is one of the most influential noirs -- as well as a showcase for Humphrey Bogart at his finest.” – via Rotten Tomatoes

Worst The Longest Yard RELEASED IN: 2005 ORIGINAL: THE LONGEST YARD (1974) This Adam Sandler-created remake is a gridiron sham that failed to find solace in some surprising actors – including Burt Reynolds. What reviewers said: “This Yard has some laughs but missing from this remake is the edginess of the original.” –via Rotten Tomatoes

Best RELEASED IN: 1978 ORIGINAL: INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1956) Director Philip Kaufmann's remake of the classic thriller about pod people from outer space taking over the human race is filled with tension and suspense. “There's a little something extra in virtually every frame of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Philip Kaufman's dazzling remake of one of the cleverest of horror classics” –Janet Maslin, New York Times critic

Worst ARTHUR RELEASED IN: 2011 ORIGINAL: ARTHUR (1981) Russell Brand's reprisal of Dudley Moore’s adolescent-minded adult character “Arthur” was a tame – and often boring – version of the original. The remake seemed to focus less on the character’s dark side, and more on the petty and crude attitude oft-associated with the real-life Brand. What reviewers said: “An irritating, unnecessary remake that demonstrates the libertine charm Russell Brand exudes in supporting roles turn against him when he's star of the show.” –via Rotten Tomatoes

Best Ocean’s Eleven RELEASED IN: 2001 ORIGINAL: OCEAN'S 11 (1960) George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts and Matt Damon pack a punch of star power to this remake about a band of merry grifters who pull off the perfect Vegas heist. What reviewers said: “As fast-paced, witty, and entertaining as it is star-studded and coolly stylish, Ocean's Eleven offers a well-seasoned serving of popcorn entertainment.” –via Rotten Tomatoes Best Ocean’s Eleven RELEASED IN: 2001 ORIGINAL: OCEAN'S 11 (1960) George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts and Matt Damon pack a punch of star power to this remake about a band of merry grifters who pull off the perfect Vegas heist. What reviewers said: “As fast-paced, witty, and entertaining as it is star-studded and coolly stylish, Ocean's Eleven offers a well-seasoned serving of popcorn entertainment.” –via Rotten Tomatoes

Vanilla Sky RELEASED IN: 2001 ORIGINAL: ABRE LOS OJOS (1997) Starring Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz and Penélope Cruz, Director Cameron Crowe's translation of the Spanish original is both incomprehensible and pretentious. What reviewers said: “A good example of what self-destructive cinematic havoc can be wrought by handing over millions of dollars to movie stars to produce their own ego trips.” –Rex Reed, New York Observer

Best Heaven Can Wait RELEASED IN: 1978 ORIGINAL: HERE COMES MR. JORDAN (1941) Actor Warren Beatty's spot-on performance in this remake about an athlete who dies before his time earned him the honour of being nominated for Best Actor, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Picture for the same film – a first in history. Not bad for a man who originally wanted boxer Muhammad Ali to star in the role. What reviewers said: “Supremely produced, this whimsical romantic comedy served as star vehicle for Julie Christie and especially Warren Beatty, who made an impressive co-directing debut with Buck Henry; the film deservedly won the Oscar for Art Direction.” –via Emanuellevy.com